Alternatives to Nursing Homes

I read with interest your July 16 story about nursing home life, “In Nursing Home, Only Pal Can Lighten Life”. The facility featured is clearly a good one and has provided a positive environment for the two gentlemen who met there. I would like to point out, however, that nursing homes are not always the only alternative.

The Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) was developed by the state of California as a way to provide alternative services to individuals for whom Medi-Cal would normally pay for nursing home care. The goal of the program is to help people who are eligible for nursing home placement to remain at home for as long as possible.

MSSP provides social workers and nurses who visit clients in their homes to determine what services (such as in-home care, escorts to the doctor, etc.) are necessary to help the individual remain in his or her own home. This saves the state money and helps the older person remain independent for as long as possible.

I recommend that any individual considering nursing home placement as their only alternative consult with a social worker at their local senior center or community agency to discover what options may be available to them.

PERRI S. SLOANE, Director

Jewish Family Service

Multipurpose Senior Service Program

Los Angeles

* Beyond providing a vivid illustration of the compassionate care thousands of elderly Californians receive at the more than 1,000 health care facilities across the state, the story raised two important issues: Medi-Cal rate cuts and the recent Medicaid block grant proposal.

The state has proposed a rate cut in Medi-Cal funding of more than 5%, or $70 million. Such a drastic cut could cause a profound reduction in service that most, if not all, California nursing home residents receive. Nursing facilities will be forced to scale back staff and may be forced to discharge some or all of their Medi-Cal patients in order to stay open.

While we are obviously concerned about decisions made in Sacramento affecting the lives of nursing facility patients, we are also troubled with some of the latest proposals coming out of the nation’s capital. As presently constructed, the federal block grant proposal does not take into consideration the rise in elderly population California is expected to see over the next several years. As such, it works to the detriment of the Golden State while benefiting other states with a stable or decreasing elderly population. The federal block grant proposal needs to be reworked so that California’s seniors are treated more fairly.

GARY MACOMBER

Executive Vice President

California Assn. of Health Facilities

West Sacramento